8 Questions you can expect at your next Developer interview - and how to answer them!

There’s no two ways about it, whether you’re an experienced pro or fresh out of university, interviews are nerve-wracking. We’ve all been there – kicking ourselves as we struggle answer questions we know inside out. At Huxley, we understand the importance of preparation, which is why we work closely with our candidates to make sure that you’re ready for whatever an interviewer throws at you. We decided to take a look at some of the most popular interview questions that a developer can face, and offer some tips on how to answer them.

Tell me about some of the projects you’re currently working on

This is a classic introductory question, and a great opportunity for you to talk about projects you’re working on at the moment. Perhaps you’re building a new piece of code, or maybe you’re managing a team. Whatever the answer, it gives the interviewer an indication of your experience so far and provides insight into other skills you might have, such as leadership, project management or analytics.

Which tools are you currently using, and why do you enjoy using them?

This gives the hiring manager a clear indication of how you work, and how you’ll fit in within the organisation. It’s important to be able to speak clearly and confidently about the tools you use and why you enjoy working with them; this demonstrates passion and clearly shows that you understand the benefits of your chosen tools, and how the work you do impacts the wider project.

Describe a project you’ve worked on that you’re proud of

This is a great opportunity for you to offer a practical example of your success, and give the interviewer an idea of the value you could add to their team. Don’t be afraid to go into detail about your contribution towards a project, this is your chance to really show what you have to offer; now is not the time to be modest!

Talk about a project you’ve worked on that you’re not quite as proud of

Arguably, this could be even more important than the previous question; as a developer, it’s essential you can identify mistakes and rectify them quickly, so providing detail about a time you’ve made an error, and complementing this with information about what you learned will demonstrate keen growth to the interviewer.

How do you communicate technical issues to non-technical team members?

In today’s development workplace, strong soft skills are essential. Collaboration is key, and the way development teams function with the rest of the business will differ across organisations, so you need to show that you can speak clearly to a range of team members. Communicating effectively, and choosing your language carefully is a great way to practically demonstrate this and instil confidence in the interviewer.

Tell us about some development roles you engage in outside of work

You want to portray yourself as a genuinely enthusiastic development. Interviewers want to feel confident that this isn’t just a 9-5 job for you, but that it’s a passion. If you can talk about attending industry meet-ups, or developing in your free time, this can be extremely attractive for hiring managers.

Why do you want to work with us?

This may seem like an obvious one, but it can be so easy to get wrapped up in talking about your skills and ability to complete the tasks at hand, that you may forget to mention the company. Interviewers aren’t just looking for people who can come in and do the job, they need people who can fit in with the company, and work towards the company’s wider goals. If you can demonstrate an appreciation of how your work will align with the overall business objectives, this is a big tick in the ‘Yes’ box.

Talk about your ideal development environment

This is a very personal question, and it’s important to be honest. You might prefer to work independently, or maybe you prefer working as part of a cross-functional team. Whatever your feelings, it’s important to be honest – you don’t want to accept a job somewhere that isn’t right for you. This question will offer some insight to you as well, ask about what the environment’s like, and try to judge whether this is something you’d feel comfortable with.

At Huxley, we establish excellent relationships with all of our clients, and work hard to acquire a deep understanding of their functionality. This allows us to effectively prepare you for your interview, and work closely to ensure you’re ready to go in and showcase your full potential. If you want to take advantage of the full range of services available at Huxley today, get in touch with one of our consultants, and find out about the developer opportunities we have available today.

Global Government Assistance

20 Apr 2020

We know that every business is having to navigate new rules, advice and government support, often with differing regional, national and city-specific nuances. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some information on the various government assistance programmes from across the world

Off Payroll Legislation IR35 Reform FAQ

19 Feb 2020

We have collated our answers to a number of questions which were asked on our latest IR35 webinar.

New ways of working: five important soft skills to know about

The new way of remote working has led to a growth in demand for certain soft skills, which break away from the more traditional skills we see as being ‘’highly sought after’’.

Tips to create a standout LinkedIn profile

06 May 2020

Having a top of the range LinkedIn profile is vital to attract the right people to your profile and it’s now more likely to be the first place a hiring manager or recruiter will go to find the skills they’re searching for.